A couple have described the terrifying moment their home was set on fire by a strike of lightning.
Louise and Simon Scott fled for their lives after their home at Ardroil in Uig was hit by lightning at about 2am.
The Western Isles was battered by wind and rain overnight, with more than 230 lightning strikes recorded.
Mr Scott, a factor and company secretary at Grimersta Estate, and his wife were asleep when their house was set alight with a fireball.
“There was a huge explosion and lightning hit the chimney stack above the bedroom,” said Mr Scott.
“We are both ex-Army but this was pretty alarming.
“Half of the stack came down into the bedroom and the other half fell outside. If the debris that came inside had fallen two feet nearer it would have been on top of us.
“The bolt came through the roof and the floor.
“The fire started immediately. I went to get a fire extinguisher but, with the gale, the fire was not controllable.”
Couple flee with three dogs
The 60-year-old and his wife, a GP in Stornoway, grabbed their three dogs and fled from their home in their pyjamas and wellies.
More than a dozen firefighters were called to tackle the blaze, but the property has been left a burnt-out shell.
Mr Scott added: “The firemen were brilliant – we know many of them. It was dreadful conditions.
“We are very sad to have lost the property, our two cars were damaged by the debris, but we are very grateful to get out OK as it could have been worse.
“We are insured and we have had lots of offers of help, which we also appreciate, but we are staying at Grimesta Lodge temporarily at the moment.”
Pictures from the scene show the roof destroyed and the single-storey building practically a shell.
Four fire crews from Bernera, Valtos, Shawbost and Stornoway battled the flames in “atrocious conditions”.
Firefighters praised for ‘dedication’
Group commander Dougie Campbell said by the time teams arrived at the scene, the fire was well-established.
He said: “The crews did very well to bring it under control given the atrocious conditions.
“It was very blustery, with strong showers and also the risk of more lightning strikes. I would like to pay tribute to their professionalism and dedication.
“The house was destroyed and two cars were also lost, but thankfully nobody died and three dogs belonging to the owners were also rescued by them. The house is a total loss and was most likely hit by lightning.
“I really feel for them and what they have suffered.”
Crews remained at the scene until 8am today.
An electricity transformer was also reportedly hit by lightning near the same location, with a loss of power to properties in the area.